When a card is really a hug

Posted on April 30, 2014 by mauistamper

Sometimes a friend is hurting and it’s not possible to deliver a hug in person. What is it about the touch of another person that brings such comfort? I called a friend today and she said “I was just thinking of you. I need an Anne hug.” It was a reminder to me that a small gesture can have the great impact – and I may never know that it did.

There’s a woman in our church – and she’s a saint, she really is – who has taken on the unseen task of sending cards to people in our community who are hurting. It’s a big job, and I’m happy to help by keeping her supplied with cards. Sometimes I have trouble coming up with a design that is generic enough to suit whatever need arises, but still has that hand-made touch. They also have to be 100% easy to mail:

Stamps: Simply Soft (Retired 13-14 Hostess) and Trust God stamp sets
Color Palette: Very Vanilla, Pool Party and Wild Wasabi
Accessories: Etcetera DSP, 3″ Circle Bigz, 3 1/2″ Circle Bigz, Big Shot, Stampin’ Dimensionals, Aqua Painter

Simply Soft is one of those retired stamp sets that I can’t bring myself to sell. I used it for my daughter’s engagement party invitations. I am so fond of those Dandelion-like flowers – or maybe they’re Alliums, or perhaps Agapanthus. It doesn’t matter. I like them.

I have to admit that I’m a little anti-OCD when it comes to this sort of two-step stamping. I kind of LIKE that it’s not lined up perfectly. On the other hand, I would have really liked to put a little ribbon on this card…but it needs to be flat.

This copycat uses Very Vanilla, Crumb Cake, Crisp Cantaloupe and Calypso Coral. The Polka Dots TIEF (it survives another year!!!!!) adds a little texture, and the Sweet Sorbet DSP from Sale-a-bration adds a bit more with its tone-on-tone colors. The flowers from Too Kind (another survivor!) are a lighter version of the Dandelion/Agapanthus/Allium flower, and the contrasting mat distracted my eye, so I let the Very Vanilla circle to stand on its own. The sentiment is from Teeny Tiny Wishes….BIG SIGH OF RELIEF…my right-hand-stamp will also be around for at least another year.

Here’s a little more “rock the boat” two step stamping. Now you’re seeing my rebellious side.

The Etcetera DSP, the 3″ Bigz and the 3 1/2″ Bigz are all retiring. If you have circles framelits, you really don’t need the Bigz – unless you make multiples. I’ve gotten my money’s worth many times over cutting 6 or more circles at one time with these dies.

If you’re anything like me, you have a small stash of cards that have been collecting dust for a while. Each one of those cards has the potential to make someone’s day…you just need to write a line or two, sign your name, and attach a stamp. Shoots, you don’t even have to lick the stamp any more. Go send a card. You’ll be glad you did.

Sending love and sympathy

Posted on February 21, 2012 by mauistamper

Recently I needed sympathy cards. I try to have one or two on hand, but I much prefer making just the right card. It allows me to create something just for the person who has lost a loved one, and I can also spend some time thinking about them and praying for them as they grieve.

These cards were made for young adults – a brother and sister who lost their dad. This is the card I made for the young woman:

Simply Soft and Faith in Nature stamp sets (both hostess sets)
Old Olive, Baja Breeze and Naturals White card stock
Old Olive, Baja Breeze and Not Quite Navy Classic ink pads
Baja Breeze seam binding

I considered adding pearls and other embellishments, but ended up rejecting all of that for the simplicity of the flowers. I folded the seam binding in half – it’s so soft that it takes that treatment easily and can still be mailed without extra postage.

Lately, cards that can be mailed without extra postage have become more of a focus for me. I think twice before adding buttons, big brads and other heavy bling. I LOVE those embellishments – don’t get me wrong – but I mail a lot of cards and those extras create headaches at the post office. I’m keeping the 3-D goodies for hand-delivered cards, and there are plenty of those, too.

Here’s the companion card for the young man:

Medallion and Thoughts and Prayers stamp sets
Old Olive and Naturals White card stock
Old Olive, Baja Breeze and Not Quite Navy Classic ink pads
1/2 and 1 3/4 inch circle punches
Stampin’ Dimensionals
Crystal Effects

The “brad” in the center is nothing more than a circle of cardstock covered with Crystal Effects, and I left off that girly-frou-frou ribbon stuff.

Although these cards are similar in color and general style, the fact that they coordinate was more for my benefit than that of my young friends. As I thought of the two of them, putting these complimentary cards together gave me a little comfort. I hope it did the same for them.

Plunging into pink

Posted on February 15, 2012 by mauistamper

I’m not usually an all-pink kind of person, but every now and then the girly-gene takes over and Ican’t resist:

Simply Soft stamp set
Whisper White, Regal Rose, Pretty in Pink and Wild Wasabi card stock
Pink Pirouette Classic ink pad
Regal Rose and Wild Wasabi Stampin’ Write markers
Pink Pirouette 3/8 inch taffeta ribbon
Big Shot and Adorning Accents textured impressions embossing folders

This was a valentine but it could be used for any girly occasion. I left the front without a sentiment and stamped it inside, just because.

I wasn’t sure if I would like the Adorning Accents Textured Impressions Embossing folders, but of course I do. I don’t know why I ever bother to wonder if I’ll like something – there’s very little I truly dislike. This particular folder isn’t very wide, but that’s the idea: it allows you to emboss a strip across a card at the top, bottom or the middle. I suppose if you were feeling very hearty you could do all three.

I’ll be sad when the 2011-2012 Idea Book and Catalog closes out the end of May and Simply Soft goes the way of all hostess sets. The images are exactly what the title says – simple and soft. I’ve used them all many times, so I suppose the positive way to look at it is that I have gotten my money’s worth. Of course, since this is a hostess set I didn’t pay real dollars for it, so to say I’ve gotten my money’s worth is rather silly. Hmph. And silly is where all of this is going!

It’s late, as usual. I’m a night owl. Time to hoot at the moon and get to bed.

2012 Calendar: Second quarter

Posted on December 28, 2011 by mauistamper

Well, you could have guessed what would be here today, now, couldn’t you have?

April features the Young Vermillion single stamp:

May uses the one of the beautiful images from the hostess set Simply Soft:

And June is ready to start the day with Morning Cup:

Remember, the template for these calendar pages is the work of Tracy Harp at Inky Doodles!

Giving thanks

Posted on November 24, 2011 by mauistamper

A pretty autumn-colored card for you today on this beautiful Thanksgiving morning:

Simply Soft Stamp set
Naturals White, Old Olive, More Mustard and Cajun Craze card stock
Old Olive and More Mustard Classic ink pads
Aquapainter
Champagne Mist shimmer paint
Dimensionals
Rhinestone Jewels

I made this card for my mom’s birthday. She’s a gardener and a good one, and I wanted her card to be full of flowers, so I put the message on the inside. I cut out a few of the blossoms and stuck them on little pieces of dimensionals – it wasn’t hard – I can hear some “no cutting” stampers groaning!

One of my favorite things to do is make a card FOR someone. Creating a design that suits the recipient and the occasion is part of the pleasure, but for me the best part is enjoying thinking of that “someone” while I’m making the card. I live apart from many people whom I love, so making something especially for them allows me to draw them near if only in my mind.

Today, as every day, I am grateful. My life is abundantly rich in beauty, comfort and the love of family and friends, and I make an effort to live with thanksgiving. I am very blessed, and I wish the same for you. Happy Thanksgiving Day.

The first cut is the tricky part

Posted on October 27, 2011 by mauistamper

What’s it gonna be today?

Word Play, Creative Elements and Simply Soft stamp sets
River Rock, Cherry Cobbler and Whisper White card stock
Paisley Petals Designer Series paper
River Rock, Cherry Cobbler and Marina Mist Classic ink pads
Cherry Cobbler Quilted Satin ribbon
Big Shot, Scallop Circles 2 and 3 inch Circle Bigz dies
Scallop Border punch
Stampin’ Sponge

I love this specialty cut, but I have a confession to make. Every time I run this through the Big Shot, I make a mistake (or two) and ruin two or three pieces of paper. The placement of the cutting pads on the Big Shot is a little tricky and I always goof it up. I got that Sheryl Crow song stuck in my head – you know – “The first cut is the deepest, Baby I know!”

THIS video tutorial does a great job of demonstrating how to make this cut, and I’ve bookmarked it so I can review it every time! I used a card with the fold on the narrow side instead of the wide side, but it’s the same principle.

Those little smudgy bits around the edge of the circle are one of the two-step “filler” stamps from the Simply Soft stamp set. Just the right amount of texture! You could do a lot of different things with those smudgy bits.

Making it simple

Posted on September 5, 2011 by mauistamper

I’ve been playing around with my new Simply Scored tool and I’m very pleased with it:

Simply Soft (Hostess) and Fabulous Phrases stamp sets
Naturals Ivory, Cajun Craze, More Mustard and Old Olive card stock
Cajun Craze, More Mustard and Old Olive Classic ink pads
More Mustard 1/2 inch scallop dots ribbon
Simply Scored

These specialty folds cards with all of the little score marks are enormously simplified with the Simply Scored tool. It’s so much easier to leave the paper in once place, and I really appreciate having the scoring lines every 1/8 inch. Those little pegs for marking your spot are really helpful, too! I think I’m going to have to break down and take some photos in the next couple of days, but that will require an archeological expedition. Things are a tad messy in the ol’ stamp studio right now. Creative process and all that.

The beautiful Monk Seal that was on Keawakapu Beach last week decided to find another spot to sunbathe. I’ve kept my eye out as I walk on the beach each morning, but I haven’t seen any sign of her. As much as I enjoyed watching her, I’m glad she’s a wild thing.

In Color 2011-2012 and a wonderful friend

Posted on July 28, 2011 by mauistamper

I became a Stampin’ Up! demonstrator for a lot of reasons. One of the best reasons was a woman who has become a wonderful friend – Crystal Kondo. She came by just before my Open House and brought gifts – she always brings gifts. This time she brought me 5 cards made with the 5 In Colors for 2011-2012, each paired with Crumb Cake card stock, and each made with the Hostess stamp set Simply Soft: